An Assault on Bleakness

Dear Friends in Christ -

Sorry I've been lagging so badly in the blogging department these past couple of weeks. Busyness is my excuse, but it's no excuse really. Reaching out to you is my number one priority. I've just been doing my reaching out one-on-one these past couple of weeks, connecting with people who are really in need.

I have been collecting things to share with you . . . and now I have a backlog in my brain - and on my desk. I have to get to the church in a few minutes to finish up the bulletins for the Christmas services, but I wanted to pass along to you an email from a colleague of mine . . . it delighted my heart!

Faithfully yours (even when unfaithful in daily blogging!),
Janet+

From the Rev. David Anderson, rector of St. Luke's, Darien:
Dear Friends,
This week I'm sharing one of my favorite video clips. Maybe you've seen it before---something unexpected happens in Central Station, Antwerp. If you're like me, this is a good season to watch again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

What I love about that movie-ette is the drab, Dutch commuter scene, like any major urban center. People don't talk to strangers. They don't even make eye contact. Then suddenly singing and dancing erupts in a place where only drabness is appropriate, only bleakness is allowed. And the shell of isolation is broken. People with somber faces light up, they clap and smile, they dance and cheer.

About Christmas, the legendary interior designer, Mark Hampton, said:
Without being crude and insensitive to the deeper spiritual aspects of the holiday, one can still be aware of the fact that people everywhere, regardless of religious beliefs, eagerly seize the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that glorifies generosity and hospitality. Christmas is, in fact, an assault on bleakness-spiritual, emotional, and seasonal.

That's what happened in Central Station, Antwerp. Advent says: If you will only look and listen, it is happening always, everywhere.

Advent blessings,
David